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PRECIOUSNESSOF  REDEMPTION. ^^^        /^/^2 

/     ^tftffi\ 

A 

SERMON 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE 

General  association 

OF 

CONNECTICUT, 

AT 

LEBANON,  JUNE  22,  1809. 


BY  REV.   GERSHOM  WILLIAMS,   J.  M. 

MINISTER  OF  A  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST,  IN  SPRINGFIELD,  N.  J. 


ND  PUBLISHED  At  THE  PARTICULAR  REQUEST  OF 

THE  HEARERS. 


HARTFORD  : 

PRINTED  BY  HUDSON  AND  GOODWIN. 


1809. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://www.archive.org/details/preciousnessofreOOwill 


SERMON,  &c. 


PSALM  xlix  8. 
For  the  redemption  of  their  soul  is  precious  and  it  ceaseih  for 
ever. 

IN  the  sacred  writings  we  find  various  passages, 
the  precise  import  of  which  is  not  easily  ascertained. 
The  design  of  infinite  wisdom  in  this,  must  have 
been,  to  lead  to  deep  and  thorough  investigation,  and 
to  draw  the  mind  to  the  contemplation  of  various  sub* 
jects,  each  of  which  may  be  important  and  useful. 

The  passage  that  has  just  been  read  seems  to  be  of 
this  description. — By  the  redemption  here  spoken  of, 
may  be  understood  a  price  paid  to  deliver  either  from  nat- 
ural death,  from  spiritual  death,  or  from  both.  The  pre- 
ciousness  of  that  redemption  may  mean  either  the  great- 
ness of  the  price  necessary  to  the  purchase,  or  the  de- 
sirableness of  that  redemption. — Its  ceasing  for  ever 
cannot,  consistently  with  the  grammatical  construction  of 
the  sentence,  be  understood  as  referring  to  the  soul,  but 
to  the  redemption  of  it — and  the  ceasing  of  that  re- 
demption, may  either  import  the  impossibility  of  man's 
accomplishing  the  redemption  of  the  soul,  or  it  may 
refer  to  the  perfection  of  that  redemption  which 
Christ  has  already  accomplished.  It  ceaseth  for  ev- 
er, that  is,  the  work  is  complete,  it  is  not  to  be  repeat- 
ed, it  is  finished. 


In  our  context  there  is  an  indisputable  reference  had 
to  the  unavailing  nature  of  earthly  treasures,  to  stay 
the  hand  of  death.  "  They  thai  trust  in  their  -wealth 
4i  and  boast  themsehes  in  the  multitude  of  their  riches  : 
"  none  of  them  can  by  any  means  redeem  his  brother, 
give  to  God  a  ransom  for  him :  That  he  should 
44  still  live  forever  and  not  see  corruption."  In  the 
midst  of  this  sentence,  inclosed  in  a  parenthesis,  our 
text  is  found. — And  viewing  it  in  this  connexion,  it 
seems  to  import,  that  although  it  would  be  very  desir- 
able to  have  it  in  cur  power  to  purchase  a  release  for 
our  brother,  when  death  makes  his  demand;  yet  this 
would  require  a  price  which  none  of  us  could  ever  lay 
down. 

The  passage  however  is  to  be  considered  as  looking 
further,  and  having  reference  to  the  redemption  of  the 
soul  by  Jesus  Christ. — This  was  an  object  highly 
desirable,  and  though  far  beyond  the  power  of  mor- 
tals, it  is  gloriously  complete  in  Chnst.  This  is  the 
sense  given  of  the  passage  by  Doctor  Hammond  and 
others,  and  in  this  light  we  shall  consider  it  at  present; 
and  sAff// endeavour  to  show  that  the  redemption  of  the 
soul  of  man  is  highly  important  and  desirable.  This 
will  appear  from  considering  its  miserable  state  by 
nature — its  capacity  for  happiness — the  price  paid 
for  its  redemption — the  glory  that  will  thereby  accrue 
to  the  sacred  three — and  the  consequent  increase  of 
happiness,  among  the  various  ranks  of  holy  intelligents. 
— The  plan  of  my  discourse  is  now  before  you. 

1.   Then  that    the  redemption  of  the  soul  of  man  is 
highly  important  and  desirable,  will  appear  from  con- 
ring  its  miserable  state  by  nature. 


Nothing  is  more  evident  than  that  man  is  in  a  fal- 
len, wretched  state. — Ail  the  moral  powers  and  facul- 
ties of  his  nature  are  disordered — his  understanding  is 
darkened — his  will  is  perverse,  and  his  affections  de- 
praved.— The  knowledge  of  the  true  God  is  lost,  or  as 
the  Apostle,  in  his  epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  says,  the 
understanding  is  darkened,  being  alienated  from  the 
life  of  God,  through  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them,  be- 
cause of  the  blindness  of  their  heart. — Hence  evil  is 
called  good,  and  good  evil  ;  light  is  put  for  darkness, 
and  darkness  for  light  ;  bitter  for  sweet,  and  sweet  for 
bitter.  The  fountain  of  living  waters  is  forsaken,  and 
the  poisonous  streams  of  sensual  enjoyment  are  prefer- 
red. The  true  and  only  rest  for  the  soul  is  deserted, 
and  a  substitute  is  vainly  sought  for  among  the  trifles  of 
earth.  Real  friends  are  spurned  away,  and  the  most 
dangerous  enemies  are  embraced  as  cordial  friends. 
- — Hence  the  soul  is  led  captive  at  the  will  of  Satan  and 
wheedled  along  the  broad  descending  way  that  leads 
down  to  his  dire  abodes,  while  she  vainly  dreams  of 
bliss. — Oh  !  unhappy  delusion  !  Surely  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  soul  is  precious. 

In  this  state  of  alienation  from  God,  the  soul  can 
never  taste  of  real  felicity.  There  is  no  peace,  saith  my 
God,  to  the  wicked.  They  are  like  the  troubled  sea, 
whose  waters  cast  up  mire  and  dirt.  Their  joys  are 
ail  polluted  and  imaginary ;  and  though  pleased  with 
their  present  situation,  they  are  in  cruel  slavery  and 
perform  the  most  unreasonable  service.  The  way  of 
transgressors  is  hard.  The  will  and  affections  are  at 
war  with  the  understanding;  conscience  like  a  fiery 
scorpion  constantly  harrasses  ;  while  a  variety  of  con- 
flicting passions  banish  all  tranquillity  from  the  soul- 


But  besides  these  internal  sources  of  sorrow,  which 
must  always  be  the  concomitants  of  a  sinful  state,  to 
the  utter  exclusion  of  all  happiness,  the  soul  lies  under 
sentence  of  condemnation  by  the  divine  law  ;  for  it  is 
written,  the  soul  that  sinneth  it  shall  die  :  cursed  is 
every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all  things  written  in 
the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them  ;  and  he  that  offendeth 
in  one  point  is  guilty  of  the  whole.  Hence  all  the 
dreadful  curses  of  the  broken  law  pursue  the  rebel. 
The  great  and  terrible  God,  who  is  a  consuming  fire  to 
his  enemies  and  whose  anger  burns  to  hell,  is  highly 
incensed  ;  and  justice  is  inexorable. — His  offences  are 
incalculably  great,  so  that  he  can  by  no  means  make  res- 
titution— His  resources  are  nothing  when  compared 
with  the  immense  debt  contracted,  and  the  doleful  pri- 
son of  everlasting  despair  yawns  wide  to  receive  him. 
Say  then,  my  hearers,  is  not  the  redemption  of  the  soul 
highly  important  and  desirable  ?  That  it  is  so  will  fur- 
ther appear  from  considering, 

2.  Its  capacity  for  happiness.  The  powers  of  the 
human  soul  are  of  vast  extent. — With  peculiar  ease  it 
rises  sublimely  through  immeasurable  space,  and  trav- 
els to  the  utmost  bounds  of  creation.  On  the  swift 
wing  of  imagination  it  changes  its  situation  at  pleasure, 
and  in  an  instant  holds  whatever  commanding  stand, 
in  the  universe  is  preferred,  from  which  to  look  around 
and  survey  the  works  of  God.  From  orb  to  orb  it 
roves  in  sweet  contemplation,  admiring  the  wisdom, 
power  and  goodness  of  him  who  gave  them  birth.  Yea, 
it  can  enter  in  through  the  veil  into  the  holy  of  holies, 
and  hold  high  converse  with  the  inhabitants  of  heaven. 
Through  the  power  of  recollection  it  is  capable  of  re- 
calling and  enjoying  former  scenes.     The   long  lapse 


of  past  ages  is  made  to  pass  in  review  before  it,  so  that 
the  pleasure  resulting  from  the  contemplation  of  the 
providences  of  God  is  perpetuated. 

It  possesses  also  a  power  of  looking  forward  through 
ages  yet  to  come,  and  deriving  happiness  from  the  pros- 
pects of  futurity.  Thus  it  has  free  access  to  the  past 
and  future  as  well  as  to  the  present.  The  past  is  recal- 
led and  the  future  anticipated.  The  reflex  and  moral 
senses  may  each  be  gratified  from  the  variety  of  sub- 
jects, both  natural  and  moral,  which  lie  within  the 
sphere  of  its  operation. 

Besides,  the  human  soul  is  capable  of  vast  improve- 
ment. The  point  has  never  yet  been  ascertained  be- 
yond which  it  cannot  advance.  How  great  then  its 
present  capacity  for  happiness  ?  And  when  redeemed 
from  under  the  power  of  sin  and  admitted  to  the  foun- 
tain of  living  waters,  what  copious  draughts  will  it  re- 
ceive ?  What  extatic  joys  will  it  feel  ?  "  The  redeem- 
"  ed  of  the  Lord  shall  return  and  come  to  Zion  with 
u  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  head  ;  they  shall 
"  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall 
u  flee  away."  Liberated  from  its  deplorable  state  of 
bondage  to  sin,  and  admitted  to  join  the  Church 
of  the  first  born;  to  hold  high  converse  with  Angels, 
with  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  ;  to  join  in  the  song 
of  Moses  and  the  Lamb  ;  and  to  bask  in  the  smiles  of 
the  beatific  Jehovah  ;  who,  who,  can  calculate  the 
bliss  ?  And  when  we  consider  that  the  existence  of 
the  soul  will  be  without  end,  and  that  its  capacity  for 
enjoyment  will  be  constantly  expanding,  the  sum  of  hap- 
piness swells  to  infinitude.  If  the  happiness  of  the  soul 
is  to  be  eternally  progressive,  then  a  period  in  eterni- 


8 

ty  will  arrive,  when  a  soul  of  the  meanest  capa- 
cities, will  advance  beyond  the  present  measure  of  Ga- 
briel's felicity.  Yea,  a  period  must  arrive  when  in  a 
given  portion  of  time  it  will  be  capable  of  as  much  hap- 
piness, as  all  created  intelligents  now  are  in  the  same 
portion  of  time. — Brethren,  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what 
we  shall  be.  And  now  say,  is  not  the  redemption  of  a 
soul,  capable  of  such  consummate  and  immeasurable 
felicity,  a  precious  object  ? 

3.  That  the  redemption  of  the  soul  is  highly  im- 
portant and  desirable,  is  evident-from  the  magnitude 
of  the  price  that  has  been  paid  for  that  purpose. 

Infinite  wisdom  cannot  mistake  the  real  value  of 
things,  nor  can  it  agree  to  purchase  at  an  unreasona- 
ble rate.  Yet  the  price  paid  to  redeem  the  soul,  by 
him  who  is  allzvise,  is  immense. 

The  Apostle  calls  Christ  an  unspeakable  gift,  and 
concludes  that  since  God  has  not  withheld  his  son, 
there  is  nothing  too  valuable  for  him  to  bestow.  The 
soul  of  man  could  not  be  redeemed  with  corruptible 
things,  as  silver  and  gold,  nor  with  any  thing,  but  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ. — Burnt-offerings  and  sacrifices 
were  vain.  The  blood  of  bulls  and  of  goats,  thou- 
sands of  rams  and  ten  thousands  of  rivers  of  oil, 
would  avail  nothing,  yea  the  fruit  of  the  body 
could  not  atone  for  the  sin  of  the  soul.  Before 
redemption  could  be  had,  the  eternal  son  of  God 
must  lay  aside  his  shining  robes,  leave  the  regions  of 
immortality,  assume  human  nature,  and  in  that  estab- 
lish the  broken  law  and  make  it  honorable. — Though 
rich  he  must  become   poor,  and   make  himself  of  no 


reputation  ;  though  innocent  he  must  endure  all  the 
sinless  infirmities  of  our  nature,  and  suffer  temptation  : 
for  thus  it  became  the  captain  of  our  salvation  to  be  made 
perfect  through  sufferings.  Submitting  to  all  the  require- 
ments of  the  sacred  lav/  he  must  yield  it  sinless  obedience 
and  endure  the  contradiction  of  sinners  against  himself. 
He  must  be  made  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin,  and  under 
the  pressure  of  our  imputed  guilt,  agonize  till  he  sweat 
as  it  were  great  drops  of  blood  ;  be  betrayed,  unjustly 
condemned,  crowned  with  thorns,  nailed  to  the  cross, 
endure  the  hidings  of  his  father's  face,  and  the  insults 
and  cruelty  of  his  crucifters ;  and  that  he  might  take 
away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself,  he  must  pour  out 
Ills  precious  blood,  and  in  agonies  expire.  Surely  then 
the  redemption  of  the  soul  is  precious  in  the  view  of 
Deity,  or  this  immense  price  had  not  been  paid. 

4.  The  redemption  of  the  soul  is  highly  important 
and  desirable,  because  a  vast  revenue  of  glory  will- 
thereby  accrue  to  the  sacred  three. 

The  glory  of  God  shines  no  where  so  brightly  as  in 
the  face  of  Jesus  Christ.  Here  the  character  of  Jeho- 
vah is  exhibited  with  such  mildness  that  mortals  ma) 
behold,  adore  and  learn  ;  and  yet  with  such  brilliancy 
as  will  invite  the  attention  of  angels  ;  yea,  it  will  excite 
the  gaze  of  cherubim  and  seraphim  while  eternity  en- 
dures. 

We  can  conceive  of  no  other  way  in  which  God  could 
have  brought  himself  so  fully  into  the  view  of  his  crea- 
tures, as  he  has  in  the  work  of  redemption.  The  hea- 
vens declare  his  glory  and  the  firmament  showeth  forth 
his  handy  works  j  but  the  displays  he  has  made  of  hina^ 
A2 


10 

self  in  creation  are  faint  when  compared  with  those  in 
the  work  of  redemption.  Here  the  great  fountain  of 
his  unfathomable  wisdom  is  opened,  and  the  angels  de- 
sire to  look  into  the  mysteries  of  a  plan,  which  recon- 
ciles seeming  impossibilities.  A  plan  in  which  justice, 
truth  and  mercy  meet  and  completely  harmonize  in  the 
pardon  of  sinners.  In  this  plan  justice  is  not  only  pre- 
served from  being  sullied,  but  it  shines  forth  with  pe- 
culiar lustre.  In  the  punishment  of  rebel  angels  God's 
justice  was  glorified  ;  but  it  appeared  still  more  glori- 
ously inflexible,  when  no  part  of  the  penalty  for  sin 
could  be  remitted,  though  the  only  begotten  of  the 
Father  had  become  responsible.  Though  the  darling- 
of  heaven  had  assumed  the  mighty  debt  and  taken  the 
sinners'  place  ;  and  though  he  submissively  cried, 
Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from  me,  yet 
divine  justice  made  and  received  its  full  demand.  O  f 
how  bright  is  the  exhibition  of  justice  in  the  sufferings 
of  Christ! 

Nor  does  mercy  appear  less  glorious  in  this  wonder- 
ful scheme  of  redemption.  It  had  an  influence  in  lay- 
ing the  plan,  and  in  the  execution  acted  a  conspicuous 
part.  The  demands  of  justice  afforded  an  opportunity 
for  this  attribute  to  be  brought  into  the  full  view  of  in- 
telligent creatures.  It  had  been  before  like  a  fountain 
sealed,  but  now  it  burst  forth  in  copious  and  never  fail- 
ing streams.  The  holiness,  faithfulness  and  all  the  at- 
tributes of  Jehovah,  harmoniously  shine  forth  with  pe- 
culiar lustre  in  this  precious  work,  the  redemption  of 
the  soul.  The  declarative  glory  of  God  will  therein  be 
greatly  advanced,  which  is  of  the  highest  importance  to- 
the  universe,  and  therefore  dear  to  him  whose  name  is 


il 

love.  It  was  not  merely  compassion  to  our  miserable* 
fallen  race,  that  made  the  redemption  of  the  soul  so 
precious  to  Jehovah.  No,  his  views  were  more  ex. 
tensive  and  embraced  the  good  of  being  in  general. — 
While  he  pitied  our  distress,  he  devised  a  plan  for  our 
deliverance  in  which  he  could  glorify  his  great  name, 
make  himself  more  known  to  all  ranks  of  holy  intelli- 
gents,  and  thereby  advance  the  happiness  of  the  uni- 
verse. Thus  the  apostle  says,  it  is  to  the  intent  that 
now  unto  principalities  and  pozvers  might  be  made 
known  through  the  church  the  manifold  wisdom  of 
God.  These  objects  were  noble  and  worthy  the  atten- 
tion of  Jehovah.  In  the  view  of  them  the  redemption 
of  the  soul  is  precious  to  him,  and  it  ought  to  be  so  to 
all  intelligent  creatures.     Hence  we  observe, 

5.  That  the  redemption  of  the  soul  will  appear  to  be 
highly  important  and  desirable,  from  taking  into  view 
the  consequent  increase  of  happiness  among  the  vari- 
ous ranks  of  holy  intelligents.  The  advancement  of 
happiness  in  the  universe  must  be  an  object  grateful  to 
the  benevolent  mind.  And  this  takes  place  in  an  emi- 
nent degree  through  the  redemption  of  immortal  souls. 
It  will  be  the  case  not  only  with  respect  to  the  individ- 
uals who  shall  be  ransomed,  they  indeed  shall  return 
with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads,  but 
all  holy  beings  will  partake  of  their  enjoyment.  They 
will  rejoice  in  the  deliverance  of  precious  immortals, 
from  a  state  of  sin  and  death  ;  accordingly  we  are  in- 
formed that  there  is  joy  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  that 
repenteth.  But  the  grand  spring  of  holy  felicity  is  the 
revelation  of  the  divine  character.  God  is  the  great 
fountain  of  good  for  all  his   intelligent  creatures  j  all 


12 

their  springs  are  in  him.-  The  mediums  through  which 
he  communicates  a  knowledge  of  himself,  are  so  many 
streams  issuing  from  the  great  fountain  at  which  those 
who  love  his  appearing  drink  and  are  refreshed.  But 
he  can  be  enjoyed  only  as  far  as  he  is  known. — Hence  ev- 
ery new  opening  of  the  divine  character  is  a  source  of 
fresh  and  superior  delight.  And  as  the  various  attri- 
butes of  his  nature  are  most  clearly  exhibited  in  the 
work  of  redemption,  so  there  is  hereby  a  great  acces- 
sion to  the  happines  of  holy  beings.  Hence  at  the 
birth  of  the  Saviour,  when  the  glorious  mys- 
tery began  more  fully  to  come  into  view,  the  rap- 
turous song  burst  from  angelic  hosts,  Glory  to  God  in 
the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will  towards  men* 
The  wonders  of  redeeming  love  will  form  a  theme  for 
saints  and  angels,  through  a  long  eternitv.  New  dis- 
coveries of  the  glorious  mysteries  of  salvation  will  be 
made  and  the  character  of  Jehovah  more  and  more  de- 
veloped. In  Christ  the  God-man,  as  in  a  wondrous 
mirror,  the  invisible  God  becomes  visible  to  his  crea- 
tures, and  there  they  behold,  with  raptures, his  uncrea- 
ted glories. — If  then  the  work  of  redemption  so  reveals 
and  diffuses  the  knowledge  of  that  God,  whom  to  know 
is  life  eternal  ;  and  if  the  happiness  of  the  various 
ranks  of  holy  intelligents  has  been  and  will  continue  to 
be  so  much  augmented  thereby,  we  may  subscribe  to 
the  language  of  our  text  and  say,  The  redemption  of 
the  soul  is  precious- 

Thus  from  considering  the  miserable  state  of  the  soul 
by  nature  ;  its  capacity  for  happiness  ;  the  price  paid 
for  its  redemption  ;  the  glory  that  will  thereby  accrue 
to  the  sacred  three  ;  and  the  consequent  increase 
of  happiness  among  the  various  ranks   of  holy  intelli- 


13 

gents,  it  appears  that  the  redemption  of  the  soul  of 
man  is  highly  important  and  desirable. — It  remains 
that  some  improvement  be  made  of  the  subject. 

1.  How  great  are  the  obligations  of  gratitude  to  him 
who  hath  undertaken  the  work  of  man's  redemption  ? 
This  work,  so  important  and  desirable,  had  ceased  for 
ever,  had  never  been  accomplished,  had  not  the  great 
Eternal  himself  undertaken  it. — All  the  souls  of  men 
must  have  remained  under  the  reigning  power  of  sin, 
and  sunk  down  in  endless  despair,  under  the  pressure 
of  divine  wrath. — Justice,  inexorable  justice  would 
have  been  displayed,  though  in  a  less  conspicuous  man- 
ner than  it  now  is,  while  the  glorious  attribute  of  mercy, 
had  still  lain  hid  from  the  eye  of  intelligent  creatures. 
Let  then  every  heart  swell  with  grateful  emotions,  to 
him  that  loved  us  and  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he 
might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  make  us  kings 
and  priests  unto  God ;  and  that  he  might  augment  the 
happiness  of  all  die  various  ranks  of  beings,  who  are 
delighted  with  the  mild  effulgence  of  infinite  perfection. 

2.  If  the  redemption  of  the  soul  is  an  object  so 
highly  important  and  desirable,  then  it  should  engage 
the  chief  attention  of  christians,  and  draw  forth  their 
most  vigorous  exertions. — Brethren,  it  is  the  most  no- 
ble subject  to  which  the  attention  of  mortals  was  ever 
called,  the  most  important  work  in  which  they  were 
ever  employed. — God  is  the  great  efficient  agent  in  this 
work,  yet  he  honors  us  with  being  instruments  in  his 
hand.  Accordingly  the  Apostle,  in  his  second  epistle 
to  the  Corinthians,  says,  We  then  as  workers  togeth- 
er with  him  beseech  you  that  ye  receive  not  the  grace 
of  God  in  vain. — The  consideration  of  being  fellow 

B 


14 

workers  with  one  another,  and  workers  together  with 
God,  is  calculated  to  support  and  animate  the  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel,  in  a  particular  manner  ;  and  it 
should  give  a  new  spring  to  the  exertions  of  all  those 
who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity. — If  God  work 
with  us,  our  business  is  honorable,  and  our  labor  shall 
not  be  in  vain.  Christians,  then  arise  with  active  zeal, 
and  let  him  that  heareth  say,  come. 

The  redemption  of  the  soul  is  precious.  He  that 
converteth  the  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way,  shall 
save  a  soul  from  death,  and  shall  hide  a  multitude  of 
sins.  They  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine 
as  the  stars,  for  ever  and  ever.  Let  the  miserable 
state  of  sinners  move  your  compassion,  and  make  you 
importunate  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Let  a  regard  to 
their  happiness  and  your  oxvn,  to  the  glory  of  God,  and 
to  the  increase  of  angelic  felicity,  induce  you  to  be 
faithful  in  the  duty  of  warning,  reproving,  persuading 
and  exhorting,  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine. 

3.  Our  subject  exhibits  the  astonishing  inconsis- 
tency of  those  who  treat  with  neglect  the  provision 
that  is  made  for  their  salvation.  Sinners,  the  redemp- 
tion of  your  souls  is  precious  beyond  all  calculation. 
In  vain  do  you  dream  of  happiness  while  strangers  to 
Christ.  You  are  under  cruel  bondage  to  sin,  the 
wrath  of  God  abideth  on  you,  and  unless  redeemed 
you  go  down  to  the  chambers  of  death  ;  to  everlasting 
despair.  Can  you  contemplate  these  things  with  indif- 
ference ?  I  pray  you  consider  the  value  of  your  im- 
mortal souls. — Are  they  not  formed  for  the  most  ie. 
fined  and  consummate  bliss,  or  to  endure  misery  su- 
preme ?  Will  not  their  existence  run  parallel  with 
the  longest  lines  of  eternity  ?     And  does  not  the  price 


15 

of  redemption  bespeak  their  value  immense  ?  Will 
you  then  barter  them  away  for  the  imaginary  joys  of  an 
hour  ?  Oh  !  the  height  of  madness  and  folly  ! — What 
shall  you  be  profited  if  you  should  gain  the  whole 
world,  and  lose  your  own  souls  ?  I  beseech  you  con- 
sider what  Christ  has  done  and  suffered  that  you  might 
be  redeemed.  Remember  how  much  all  benevolent 
beings  are  engaged  for  your  salvation. — And  will  you, 
who  are  most  deeply  interested,  remain  indifferent  ? 
Can  you  be  regardless  of  your  eternal  destiny,  when  it 
has  arrested  the  attention  of  all  the  intelligent 
universe  ?  Shall  infinite  wisdom  lay  a  plan  for  your 
redemption,  shall  the  Saviour  bleed  and  die  to  execute 
it^  and  shall  the  ambassadors  of  Heaven  present  it  to 
you,  and  plead  in  vain  ?  Shall  God's  people  pray  and 
weep  over  you  ?  Shall  Angels  look  down  with  anxious 
eye  ;  and  shall  the  Holy  Spirit  woo  and  beseech  you  to 
no  purpose  \  Will  nothing  rouse  you  from  your  guil- 
ty slumbers  ?  Must  your  immortal  souls  perish,  while 
such  complete  provision  is  made  ?  Oh  !  I  beseech 
you,  have  some  compassion  on  yourselves.  Yea,  I  ad- 
jure you  by  the  value  of  your  immortal  souls,  by  the 
dying  love  of  a  Saviour,  by  the  tremendous  horrors  of 
Hell,  and  by  all  the  bright  and  ineffable  glories  of  Hea- 
ven, to  turn  without  delay  from  your  sins  by  repent- 
ance, and  accept  of  offered  mercy. — Then  will  saints 
and  Angels  feel  a  new  spring  of  joy  in  your  deliverance, 
and  you  will  unite  with  them,  while  eternity  lasts,  to 
testify,  that  the  redemption  of  your  souls  was  precious. 


